Renewed focus on the South African construction industry is expected when engineers give testimony before the Thongathi (Tongaat) Mall Commission of Inquiry when it convenes on Thursday morning in the North Coast Town of Thongathi.

The Thongathi Mall Commission of Inquiry, which was appointed by the Department of Labour (DoL), is set to hold a two-day session starting on Thursday (September 4-5) to hear further testimony from engineers on the possible causes of the structural collapse of the Tongaat Mall in Durban last year.

Two workers died and 29 others were injured when the mall collapsed on 19 November 2013.

The Thongathi Mall Commission of Inquiry has to date heard testimony from the foreman, engineers, sub-contractors and the Ethekwini Municipality, and property developer.

The inquiry comes after part of a luxury house in the Meyersdal Eco Estate in Alberton, south of Johannesburg, collapsed while builders were working on it on the morning of 18 August. Seven workers were killed - two of them were cut in half. Eight other workers were injured.

Photo caption: UNDER SPOTLIGHT... ACommission of Inquiry was appointed to investigate the causes of the collapse of the mall on 19 November 2013, that led to the death of two workers and injury to 29.